Phonograph needle cleaning device



Dec. 22, 1964 L. D. HENRY PHONOGRAPH NEEDLE CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1962 Uvvmvrop L VELI. 0. HEN/w Dec. 22, 1964 L. D. HENRY PHONOGRAPH NEEDLE CLEANING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1962 VE/VTOR Ls ELL D. HE/VP United States Patent Ofilice 3,12,4d Patented Dec. 22, 1364 3,162,445 PHONOGRAPH NEEDLE QLEANING DEVECE Lyell D. Henry, 2234 Knapp Se, Ames, Iowa Filed May 28, 1962, Ser. No. 198,357 7 Claims. (1. 274-4) used. The principal problem, however, is the keeping of the cutting or the sound reproducing needles from becoming fouled with lint, dust, fuzz and like foreign matter, and which adversely affects their fidelity of recording and reproduction. While the needles of both recording and transcribing devices require constant attention and cleaning of the two, the needles of the sound reproducing evices require cleaning more often than that of the recording needles.

One reason for this, is that the cut records provide a roughness and/or grooves susceptible for foreign matter collection. Also, cut records are usually not protected from dust and lint particles during storage, or when not actually being played. Most sound reproduction means, such as phonographs, have a needle supporting arm. This arm moves upwardly from a parked position, then moves horizontally to a position over the record, and then moves downwardly to drop the needle onto the record.

After the record has been played, the arm moves firstly upwardly, then horizontally laterally to a position to the side of the record and then moves downwardly to a parked position. In automatic players, these arm movements, as well as changing the record, are automatically accomplished.

In view of the above needle problems, the principal object of my invention is to provide a means for main taining the needle in a clean condition.

A further object of this invention is to provide a phonograph needle or like cleaning means that is in itself self cleaning.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a needle cleaning device that is easily installed.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a needle cleaning means that is controlled by the movement of the needle supporting arm.

Still further objects of my invention are to provide a needle cleaning device that is economical in manufacture, and durable in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompany ng drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my device installed on aphonograph or like,

FIG. 2 'is an enlarged perspective ex loded view of the parts that make up my device,

FIG. 3 is an illustrative plan view of the electric wiring hook-up.

7 FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the device with broken lines illustrating its lateral movement.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged back view of the automatic switch means.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged back view of the automatic switch means with the switch in closed position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sideview of my device and more fully illustrates its construction, and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of my device in inoperative tilted position.

As herebefore noted, my device may be used successfully for cleaning the needle of both cutting and reproduction devices. However, I shall explain my device, in detail, as applied to sound reproducing equipment such as that of a phonograph.

In the drawings I have used the numeral It) to desig hate an ordinary phonograph having the usual flat base 11, movable arm 12, needle 13, and record platform 15. The arm 12 may be manually moved, or as in the case of automatic record players, motorized. It is to such or similar devices that I use my brush cleaner, and which I will now describe in detail.

I have used the numeral 16 to designate the metal base block portion of my device and which is adapted to be adjustably secured to the base 11 by any suitable means. As an illustration I suggest the base block 16 be a magnet block, which will adhere to the metal base l1. On the rear side of the block is a metallic step 17. Threaded in this step 17 is a vertically adjustable termi nal screw 19. The numeral 20 designates a U-shaped bearing having three spaced apart, transversely arranged holes 21, 22 and 23. The numeral 25 designates a screw selectively extending through any one of the holes in the member 20, and detachably threaded into the base block 16. The numeral 26 designates an inverted U- shaped bracket having its two ends hinged to the two uprights of the U-shaped bearing 20. The numeral 27 designates a plate. The numeral 29 designates an electric motor having a base plate 39, and a drive shaft 31.

The base plate 30 of the motor is secured to the plate 27 by two screws 32 and 33, and which extend through the motor base plate and are threaded through the plate 27. The lower ends of these screws 32 and 33 below the plate 27 act as stop members. The numeral 35 designates a screw extending loosely upwardly through the top center of the bracket 26 and threaded into the plate 27. The point where the screw 35 enters the plate 27 is forward of the points where the screws 32 and 33 extend through the plate 27. The screw 35 is longitudinally centered on the plate 27 and the two screws 32 and 33 are at each side of this mythical longitudinal :enter line ofthe plate 27. By this arrangement of parts the plate 27 and motor 29 are rotatably mounted on the top of the bracket 26, but this rotation is limited, due to the lower ends of the screws 32 and 33 which are spaced to the rear of the bracket 26. If this plate 27 is rotated too far to the right its screw 32 will come into stopping contact with the bracket 26, and if the plate 27 is rotated too far to the left, the screw 33 will come into stopping contact with the bracket 26.

The screw 32, performs an additional service by passing through the loop 36 of a rod 37 resting on the motor base 39. This rod extends forwardly, and then is bent to extend vertically upwardly to support a flexible resilient tube 39, as shown in FIG. 7. Either the U-bearing 29 or the bracket 26, or the plate 27 should be of nonelectro conductive material. The numeral it) designates a U-shaped metallic terminal on the rear end of the plate 27. This terminal has a flat bottom and is positioned. above the screwterminal 19, as shown 'in'FIG. 5. The

right side bottom of the terminal 40 is insulated at 41.

However, when the motor their scope.

lead 43 runs to the block 16, and thus is operatively electrically connected to the screw terminal 19. The numeral 45 designates an electric lead line connecting the motor to the U-terminal. The numeral 46 designates aV-spring, embracing the screw 35, having one end engaging the bracket 26 andits other end engaging an arm of the terminal 49 for yieldingly holding the motor and plate 27 in a rotation toward the right and the, screw terminal 19 and-U -terminal 40, in positions shown in FIG. 5.

The numeral 47 designates a spool on the forward end of the shaft 31. This spool has a plurality of holes 49, for receiving and holding a plurality of longitudinal brushes 50, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. V

The practical operation of my invention is as follows:

As herebefore indicated, I take advantage of the horizontal and vertical movements of the arm 12. With the device installed on the base 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper end of the rod arm 37 and its resilient tube 39 will be to the side of the arm 12. When the arm 12 moves to the left it will engage the rod arm 37 and move it to the left. This will rotate .the plate 27 and motor 29 to the left. The bristles of the brushes 50 will be in contact with the needle 13 and as the screw terminal 19 engages the left bottom side of the terminal 40, the electric circuit will be completed and the motor 29 will rotate the brushes 50 and the needle will be cleared of all foreign matter. However, as the arm 12 lowers it will move the brush unit downwardly as shown in FIG. 8, thus tilting the motor 29,, plate 27, and bracket 26 forwardly. This action raises the terminal 40 from the terminal 19, breaks the circuit. and turns off the motor 29. When the arm 12 rises the weight of the motor, plate '27, and like will cause these parts to tilt rearwardly and again place the terminal 40 into contact with the terminal '19. As the arm 12 moves to the right, the spring '46 will yieldingly rotate the motor and plate 27 toithe right. This action will move the insulation 41 of the terminal 40 over the screw terminal 19, and the electrical circuit will bebroken and the motor turned ofi. This sequence of events continues automatically each time a record is changed and the arm 12 moves accordingly.

By adjusting the height of the screw terminal 19, the brush unit will be properly vertically adjusted to engage the needle 13. By selecting holes 21, 22 and 23, the motor and brush unit may be adjusted longitudinally relative to the block base 16. From the foregoing it will be seen that the motor is off while a record is being played, and also is off when the arm 12 is'at the extreme side position and a record is not being played.

The motor operated brush does its work excellently and quickly during a relatively small time movement of the pick-up arm 12. V

The brush is rotated by a motor at relatively high speed. The brush bristles sweep the needle clean without injury to the needle, and the bristles also fan the entire needle area to remove debris and dust by air turbulence.

and having a drive shaft,

a brush means operatively secured to the drive shaft of said motor capable of engaging said needle when said arm is in at least one position of its movement; said motor being so positioned on, and relative to said bracket that the weight of said motor will yieldingly hold said bracket in a rear position of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending to said electric motor,

a switch terminal on said base member,

an electric lead wire operatively extending switch terminal,

a switch terminal operatively carried by said motor, and capable of engaging the switch terminal on said base member when said brush means is in a given position and said bracketis in a rear position of its swinging movement,

to said.

and an electric lead wire extending between said switch terminal-operatively carried by said motor and said motor. V g 2. In a needle cleaning means,-co-mprisif1g, in combina tion; I

throws it on the brush and to a considerable distance to one side where the debris will be harmless.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement'of my phonograph needle cleaning device without departing from the'real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims,

any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within I claim: p

1.'In a 'needlecleaning means, comprising, in combination; 7 p

an arm having both horizontal and vertical movement, -a needle carried-by said arm,

a base member,

'a' bracket hinged to said base member capable of 11111:

ited. forward and rear swinging movement,

an arm having both horizontal and vertical movement,

aneedle carried by said aim,-

a base member,

a bracket hinged to said base member capable of limited forward and rear swinging movement, an electric motor operatively mounted on said bracket and having a drive shaft, I

a brush means operatively secured to the drive shaft of said motorcapable of engaging saidneedle when said arm is in at least one position of its in rement; said motor being so positioned on, and relative to said bracket that the weight of said mot-or yield ingly hold said bracket in a rear positioii of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending to said electric motor,

a switch terminal on said base member, V

an electric lead wire operatively extending to said switch terminal,

a switch terminal operatively carried by said motor, and capable of engaging the switch terminal on said base member when said brush means is in a given position and said bracket is in a rear position of its swinging movement,

and an electric lead wire extending between said switch terminal operatively carried by saidizmotor and said motor; said switch terminal on said base member being vertically adjustable for adjustably limiting the rear swinging movement of said bracket.

3. In a needle cleaning means, comprising, in combiner tion; r

an arm having both horizontal" and vertical movement,

aneedle carried by said arm, a

abase member, i Y 7 a I bracket hinged to said base member capable of limited forward and rear swinging movement,

7 an electric motor operatively mounted on said bracket and having a drive shaft, 4

a brush means operatively secured to the drive shaft of said motor capable of engaging. said needle when said arm is in at least one position; of its movement;

' said motor beingso positioned on, and relative tosaid bracket that the weight of said motor will yield-- ingly hold said bracket in a rear'position of'its swinging movement, 4 r i an electric lead wireextending a switch terminal on said base member,

an electric lead wire operatively extending to said switch terminal, 7 V

a switch terminal operatively carried y id 3 W? G llf engaging the switch terminalfon said basefmember when :said brush means l 5 V? to said electric motor,

nation;

an arm having both horizontal and vertical movement,

a needle carried by said arm,

a base member,

a bracket hinged to said base member capable of limited forward and rear swinging movement,

an electric motor operatively mounted on said bracket and having a drive shaft,

a brush means operatively secured to the drive shaft of said motor capable of engaging said needle when said arm is in at least one position of its movement; said motor being so positioned on, and relative to said bracket that the weight of said motor will yieldingly hold said bracket in a rear position of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending to said electric motor,

a switch terminal on said base member,

an electric lead wire operatively extending to said switch terminal,

a switch terminal operatively carried by said motor, and capable of engaging the switch terminal on said base member when said brush means is in a given position and said bracket is in a rutr position of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending between said switch terminal operatively carried by said motor and said motor,

and an arm means operatively carried by said motor capable of being engaged by said first mentioned arm, when said first mentioned arm moves in one horizontal direction; said engagement causing said motor to horizontally rotate in one direction on said bracket and bring said switch terminal carried by said motor into sliding electrical contact with the switch terminal on said base.

5. In a needle cleaning means, comprising, in combination;

an arm having both horizontal and vertical movement,

a needle carried by said arm,

a base member,

a bracket hinged to said base member capable of limited forward and rear swinging movement,

an electric motor operatively mounted on said bracket and having a drive shaft,

a brush means operative-ly secured to the drive shaft of said motor capable of engaging said needle when said arm is in at least one position of its movement; said motor being so positioned on, and relative to said bracket that the weight of said motor will yieldingly hold said bracket in a rear position of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending to said electric motor,

a switch terminal on said base member,

an electric lead wire operatively extending to said switch terminal,

a switch terminal operatively carried by said motor, and capable of engaging the switch terminal on said base member when said brush means is in a given position and said bracket is in a rear position of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending between said switc terminal operatively carried by said motor and said motor, 1

an arm means operatively carried by said motor capable of being engaged by said first mentioned arm, when said first mentioned arm moves in one horizontal direction; said engagement causing said motor to horizontally rotate in one direction on said bracket and bring said switch terminal carried by said motor into sliding electrical contact with the switch terminal on said base,

i and a means for yieldingly holding said motor in the opposite direction of its rotation relative to said bracket. 6. In a needle cleaning means, comprising, in combination;

an arm having both horizontal and vertical movement,

a needle carried by said arm,

a base member,

a bracket hinged to said base member capable of limited forward and rear swinging movement,

an electric motor operatively mounted on said bracket and having a drive shaft,

.a brush means operatively secured to the drive shaft of said motor capable of engaging said needle when said arm is in at least one position of its movement; said motor being so positioned on, and relative to said bracket that the weight of said motor will yieldingly hold said bracket in a rear position of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending to said electric motor,

a switch terminal on said base member,

an electric lead wire operatively extending to said switch terminal,

a switch terminal operatively carried by said motor, and capable of engaging the switch terminal on Said base member when said brush means is in a given position and said bracket is in a rear position of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending between said switch terminal operatively carried by said motor and said motor,

an arm means operatively carried by said motor capable of being engaged by said first mentioned arm, when said first mentioned arm moves in one horizontal direction; said engagement causing said motor to horizontally rot-ate in one direction on said bracket and bring said switch terminal carried by said motor into sliding electrical contact with the switch terminal on said base,

a means for yieldingly holding said motor in the opposite direction of its rotation relative to said bracket,

and means for limiting the horizontal rotation of said motor relative to said bracket in both directions.

7. In a needle cleaning means, comprising, in combination; 7

an arm having both horizontal and vertical movement,

a needle carried by said arm, a base member,

a bracket hinged to said base member capable of limited forward and rear swinging movement,

an electric motor operatively mounted on said bracket and having a drive shaft,

a brush means operatively secured to the drive shaft of said motor capable of engaging said needle when said arm is in at least one position of its movement; said motor being so positioned on, and relative to said bracket that the weight of said motor will yieldingly hold said bracket in a rear position of its swinging movement,

an electric lead wire extending to said electric motor,

a switch terminal on said base member,

an electric lead wire operatively extending to said switch terminal, l

a switch terminal operatively carried by said motor, andcapable of engaging the switch terminal on said base member when said brush means is in a given position and said bracket is in a rear position of its swinging movement, 7

an electric lead wire extending between said switch a means f r limiting the horizontal rotation of said terminal operatively carried by said motor and said motor relative to said bracket in both directions,

motor, a and means for adjusting the vertical height of said an arm means operatively carried by said motor capable 1 brush means;

of being engaged by said first mentioned arm, when 5 said first mentioned. arm moves in one horizontal References Cited by the Exammer direction; said engagement causing said motor to UNIT D STATES PATENTS horizontally rotate in one direction on said bracket 2 911 7 11 5 Klemas ct 15 28 and bring said switch terminal carried by said motor 2 954 930 10/ Stam- 274 1 into sliding electrical contact with the switch terminal 2 955 5 10/60 Staar g s g 274 on said base, i 4 I a means for yieldingly holding'said motor in the op- NORTON R Primary Exammer' posite direction of its rotation relative to said bracket, EMIL G. ANDERSON, Examiner. 

1. IN A NEEDLE CLEANING MEANS, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION; AN ARM HAVING BOTH HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL MOVEMENT, A NEEDLE CARRIED BY SAID ARM, A BASE MEMBER, A BRACKET HINGED TO SAID BASE MEMBER CAPABLE OF LIMITED FORWARD AND REAR SWINGING MOVEMENT, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ON SAID BRACKET AND HAVING A DRIVE SHAFT, A BRUSH MEANS OPERATIVELY SECURED TO THE DRIVE SHAFT OF SAID MOTOR CAPABLE OF ENGAGING SAID NEEDLE WHEN SAID ARM IS IN AT LEAST ONE POSITION OF ITS MOVEMENT; SAID MOTOR BEING SO POSITIONED ON, AND RELATIVE TO SAID BRACKET THAT THE WEIGHT OF SAID MOTOR WILL YIELDINGLY HOLD SAID BRACKET IN A REAR POSITION OF ITS SWINGING MOVEMENT, AN ELECTRIC LEAD WIRE EXTENDING TO SAID ELECTRIC MOTOR, A SWITCH TERMINAL ON SAID BASE MEMBER, AN ELECTRIC LEAD WIRE OPERATIVELY EXTENDING TO SAID SWITCH TERMINAL, A SWITCH TERMINAL OPERATIVELY CARRIED BY SAID MOTOR, AND CAPABLE OF ENGAGING THE SWITCH TERMINAL ON SAID BASE MEMBER WHEN SAID BRUSH MEANS IS IN A GIVEN POSITION AND SAID BRACKET IS IN A REAR POSITION OF ITS SWINGING MOVEMENT, AND AN ELECTRIC LEAD WIRE EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SWITCH TERMINAL OPERATIVELY CARRIED BY SAID MOTOR AND SAID MOTOR. 